Add parallel Print Page Options

11 When Yisroel was a na’ar (child), I loved him, and called Beni (My son) out of Mitzrayim [Mt 2:15].

The more I called them, the more they went from Me; they sacrificed unto Ba’alim, and burned incense to peselim (graven images).

Yet it was I who taught Ephrayim to walk, taking them by their zero’ot; but they knew not that it was I who healed them.

I drew them with cords of man, with bands of ahavah; and I was to them as they that ease the ol (yoke) on their jaws, and I bent down to feed them.

Will they not return into Eretz Mitzrayim? And will not the Assyrian be his melech, because they refused to make teshuvah.

And the cherev shall flash in his towns, and shall destroy his gate bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

And Ami are bent to backsliding from Me; though they called to the Most High, none at all would exalt Him.

How shall I give thee up, Ephrayim? How shall I hand thee over, Yisroel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I make thee as Tzvoyim? Mine lev is turned within Me, My relentings are kindled together.

I will not execute Mine charon af, I will not return to destroy Ephrayim; for El ani, and not ish; the Kadosh (Holy One) in the midst of thee; and I will not come in wrath.

10 They shall walk after Hashem; He shall roar like an aryeh; when He shall roar, then the banim shall come trembling from the west.

11 They shall come trembling as a bird out of Mitzrayim, and as a yonah out of Eretz Assyria; and I will place them in their batim (houses), saith Hashem.

12 (12:1) Ephrayim compasseth Me about with kachash (lies), and Bais Yisroel with mirmar (deceit; T.N. See Isa 53:9 which says Moshiach will have no mirmar); but Yehudah still is unbridled with El, and against Kadoshim (Holy One; see Prov 9:10) Who is ne’eman.

God’s Love for Israel

11 “When Israel was a child,(A) I loved(B) him,
    and out of Egypt I called my son.(C)
But the more they were called,
    the more they went away from me.[a](D)
They sacrificed to the Baals(E)
    and they burned incense to images.(F)
It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
    taking them by the arms;(G)
but they did not realize
    it was I who healed(H) them.
I led them with cords of human kindness,
    with ties of love.(I)
To them I was like one who lifts
    a little child to the cheek,
    and I bent down to feed(J) them.(K)

“Will they not return to Egypt(L)
    and will not Assyria(M) rule over them
    because they refuse to repent?(N)
A sword(O) will flash in their cities;
    it will devour(P) their false prophets
    and put an end to their plans.
My people are determined to turn(Q) from me.(R)
    Even though they call me God Most High,
    I will by no means exalt them.

“How can I give you up,(S) Ephraim?(T)
    How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I treat you like Admah?
    How can I make you like Zeboyim?(U)
My heart is changed within me;
    all my compassion(V) is aroused.(W)
I will not carry out my fierce anger,(X)
    nor will I devastate(Y) Ephraim again.
For I am God, and not a man(Z)
    the Holy One(AA) among you.
    I will not come against their cities.
10 They will follow the Lord;
    he will roar(AB) like a lion.(AC)
When he roars,
    his children will come trembling(AD) from the west.(AE)
11 They will come from Egypt,
    trembling like sparrows,
    from Assyria,(AF) fluttering like doves.(AG)
I will settle them in their homes,”(AH)
    declares the Lord.

Israel’s Sin

12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,(AI)
    Israel with deceit.
And Judah is unruly against God,
    even against the faithful(AJ) Holy One.[b](AK)

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 11:2 Septuagint; Hebrew them
  2. Hosea 11:12 In Hebrew texts this verse (11:12) is numbered 12:1.